ECan councillor vows not to stand again

One of South Canterbury's two Environment Canterbury councillors, Mark Oldfield, has announced he will not stand again and said he contemplated resigning last year.

In the wake of a damning review of the regional council, ECan chairman Alec Neill has said an election in October is unlikely and he expected commissioners to be called in to replace councillors. However Mr Oldfield has said he will not stand regardless of what happens.

"I would not stand tomorrow if there was an election. It was always my game plan to only stand for 10 years and I did not intend to stand three years ago, but I did because I was frustrated with the lack of progress and wanted to effect some change.

"I did resign from the water portfolio out of frustration and actually considered resigning as a councillor last year but felt I had an obligation to represent the people who had voted for me for the full term."

Another key reason for staying was to see the completion of the natural resources plan, which he believes is nearly finished.

Mr Oldfield agreed with a lot of the criticisms from the government review, which has recommended commissioners be called in.

"It was an accurate and fair projection of some of my concerns. There has been a litany of non-achievements, especially in the water portfolio, and there have been some herculean efforts by some to turn the supertanker around.

"That [commissioners being implemented] will be decided by the Government but it is really out of ECan's hands now.

"There is a recommendation a separate water authority be established so there are a number of questions around what form ECan will take."

Mr Oldfield does not have any plans to stand for another public office role.

"There is always a personal cost of public office but I do feel privileged to have represented South Canterbury.

"I have business interests outside of ECan and a healthy family and wife who will be happy I will no longer be away three to four days a week.

"I will miss the ECan staff as well. It is not a reflection on them or other councillors, it is just a culture that has developed and ECan has stopped listening to the people it represents."

Mr Oldfield's South Canterbury counterpart, Bronwyn Murray, said she would stand again and wanted to represent South Canterbury as a regional councillor regardless of what form ECan took.

"I would absolutely stand again, although the likelihood of an election in October is very low. It has been a complicated council and South Canterbury is quite a distance from where the majority of voters are, so it needs a strong and independent voice at the table, which I bring."

Prime Minister John Key has said roadblocks to water storage and irrigation in Canterbury would be removed with the review panel recommending special legislation to create a separate water management authority in recognition of the national significance of water in the region.

The inquiry was headed by former National deputy prime minister Wyatt Creech.

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